Sponsors fuel Gratiot Cruise's smooth ride

Shown here with a hot new Mustang are Meijer store director Andrea Doygun, along with Nathan Chiamp and Anthony Mazza, sales consultants for Dorian Ford. Dorian Ford and Meijer are among the benevolent corporate sponsors helping to fuel the fun at the Gratiot Cruise. MARY ELLEN ZANDER -- THE MACOMB DAILY

The Gratiot Cruise pretty much is one big party -- but someone has to pay the bills.

About two dozen community-minded businesses and non-profits chip in to help cover the cost for the all-day celebration of American-made automobiles -- from police security to entertainment and children’s activities.

That includes three of the state’s premier car dealerships along with some of the area’s stellar education and medical institutions and a number of others in the private and public sector.

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“We are truly grateful for all of the support we receive from the community to help us pay for the event,” said cruise committee spokeswoman Tracey Moro. “Obviously, without their generosity, the cruise would not be what it is today.”

New to the cruise community this year are Meijer, which has a 24-hour store on Groesbeck Highway in Clinton Township, and Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Institute, located on 19 Mile Road. Organizers say they are pleased to have both firms along for the ride.

Among the sponsorship leaders is Dorian Ford, where President Mike Dorian Jr. and Vice President Carolyn Dorian have been on board since Day One, not only providing financial support but also are a driving behind-the-scenes force.

Likewise, Moran Chevrolet and Jim Causley Buick GMC Truck have also been key backers of the cruise. All three dealerships -- Dorian, Moran and Causley -- also host special on-premise celebrations for their customers and staffs on cruise day.

Another strong backer of the cruise is McLaren Macomb, the 288-bed acute care hospital in Mount Clemens, which among other things allows the use of its administration building on Gratiot Avenue at Metropolitan Parkway to serve as the cruise headquarters, where a car show and the Kid Zone is housed.